IF JESUS...
September 19, 2004 AM
Sermon Outline
MT 21:8-11
INTRO: There are times when my focus becomes blurred or misplaced! Do you have that problem? It may be that this is just one of those characteristics of humanity with which we must constantly deal. But my specific problem is that in the rush of so many activities and so much planning I lose sight of Jesus, my Savior! I am not talking about a lack of faith or a loss of the knowledge that without Him I would be truly nothing. I am talking about a situation which can develop in which I am not seeing everything through His eyes ... I am not keeping my reading focused in the gospels ... I am not always seeking to learn more, to know more of Jesus. In recent months, however, I have found myself yearning for refocusing and have spent a great deal more time both reading and reflecting on Jesus. Think along with me for a bit.
I IF JESUS...
A. Is not the Christ of prophecy...
1. then, who is He? He could not be the Messiah, the Savior
2. further, He would have to be judged an imposter
3. Lk 24:27 - ...he expounded...the things concerning himself - He certainly believed and claimed He was the Christ of prophecy
4. Acts 3:22-26 ... now, notice Acts 4:4 - the people who knew the prophecies best and could see how Jesus fulfilled them accepted Him as the Christ of prophecy
B. Did not walk on water...
1. then, who is telling us such fairy tales?
2. indeed, the credibility of the gospel records is in serious question
3. Mt 14:24-32 - a dozen or more men saw and reported this - and no one apparently questioned it after the gospel record was written
4. maybe the question of Jesus, ...wherefore didst thou doubt? if valid now
C. Did not heal the blind man...
1. who lied? the man? his parents? the neighbors?
2. someone was determined to mislead others about this event
3. Jno 9:18-21 - the fact is that even the Pharisees were convinced of the miracle ... but they did not want to give Jesus any credit for it!
4. Jno 9:40 - Are we blind also? - maybe that question is relevant
D. Did not die on a Roman cross...
1. then, who did?
2. if it was not the Son of God, then, there is no atonement, no forgiveness
3. 1 Pet 2:21-24 - Peter certainly thought it was Jesus who died on cross
4. Mt 27:26 - Pilate certainly thought it was Jesus whom He sent to cross
E. Did not rise from the dead...
1. then, what happened to the body that had been in the tomb?
2. Christianity rests on the greatest of all hoaxes
3. Lk 24:1-3 - ...and found not the body of the Lord Jesus - empty tomb
4. few have denied that the tomb where He was buried was empty
II BUT...
A. He is the Christ of prophecy - Acts 8:32-35
1. the man was reading from one of the very familiar Messianic prophecies
2. and Philip identified Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy
B. He did walk on water - Mt 14:33
1. what else could these eyewitnesses conclude? amazing events!
2. some claim miraculous powers ... but none have walked on water!
C. He did heal the man born blind - Jno 9:10,11
1. notice v. 30 - they knew the blind man was seeing - but were blind
2. this is one of the amazing present realities ... people know that Jesus did these things ... but they do not see the significance of them
D. He did die on a Roman cross - Acts 2:22,23
1. the fact is stated for those who were involved - and they did not deny it!
2. in fact, Acts 2:36,37 - the very people who had demanded His crucifixion are now acknowledging the crucified Jesus is both Lord and Christ
E. He did rise from the dead - 1 Cor 15:4-8
1. an impressive array of witnesses ... none of whom every recanted
2. Rom 1:3,4 - Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord, the Son of God
F. But how has this well attested fact affected your life
1. for many, no doubt, this is just interesting history with a religious twist
2. if, however, all of this never brings you to belief and obedience ... to having Jesus be truly your Lord, you have sealed your eternal fate
CLOSE: It will be a tragedy of tragedies if Jesus is lost in the busyness of our lives!
Cecil A. Hutson
19 September 2004